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Friday, October 2, 2015

My share in the conversation...

A Jane
Austen Christmasby Carlo DeVito

Since
Christmas is my favorite holiday, I was especially interested in reading more
about how it was celebrated in the time of my favorite author. This non-fiction
book is a delightful and informative look into the lives of the Austen family
during six special Christmastides. From balls and assemblies to the publishing of
Emma, we get a glimpse into some of the history of Jane and her family as well as the
traditions of the times.

The book is
divided into the six Christmastides plus an Epilogue and in this review I will
break it down into parts with a sampling
of what is contained in each.

Part One: 1786

This section
consists of some background history of George Austen which I found both
interesting and sad. The Twelve Days of Christmas, Twelfth Night and holiday
decorations are discussed. Cousin Eliza is introduced and her flirtations with
Henry and James begin.

Part Two: 1794

England is
at war with France. Eliza shows up at Christmastide but this time as a widow.
Jane’s father, George indulged her in her passion for writing. For her
nineteenth birthday, he gave her a mahogany writing desk. There is more history
revealed between Eliza, Henry and James.

Part Three: 1795

Jane is
friends with Madame LeFroy. This was the Christmastide when Jane met and fell
in love with Tom LeFroy. Some of her letters to Cassandra indicate her feelings
during this time.

Part Four: 1802

Jane’s
father retired and moved the family to Bath. Edward Austen (Knight) is adopted
by Thomas Knight, who is the brother of George Austen. Jane and Cassy visit the
Bigg sisters, where Jane, almost twenty-seven years old, receives a proposal
from Harris Bigg-Wither. Some of the card games that are played during the
festive season are explained, an interesting side note to the traditions of the
times.

Part Five: 1809

George
Austen died in 1805 and Jane, Cassandra and their mother have moved to Gay
Street in Bath. Henry, Jane’s favorite brother, and Eliza join them for the
holidays in Lyme Regis in 1803 and 1804. The Austen ladies receive an
invitation to move to Chawton Cottage on October 24, 1808 where they actually
move July 7, 1809. There are quite a few holiday and other recipes contained in
this part. Most importantly, Jane renews her writing.

Part Six: 1815

Jane Austen
is now a published author. This is the year of the great Battle of Waterloo and
also the year that Emma is published
in December. There was an article in a paper that came out on Jane’s birthday
telling about the publication of Emma
although it had not actually happened yet. Some of Jane’s last letters are
included and her feelings about the dedication of Emma to the Prince Regent are revealed.

Epilogue: Two Christmases

Jane’s
health is obviously deteriorating. More of her last letters are revealed. Northanger Abbey and Persuasion are published together with a
touching ‘Biographical Notice of the Author’ by Henry. In Cassandra’s own copy
of Persuasion, she marked a passage. In the margins of the book (at that passage)
she had scribbled in her own hand, “Dear, dear Jane! This deserves to be
written in letters of gold.” (Page188 of A Jane Austen Christmas)

I found A Jane Austen Christmas by Carlo DeVito
to be well researched and fascinating. Some things I had read before and others
I had not. For any fan of Jane Austen or the Regency period, this is a book to own
and have readily available. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to learn
more of how Christmastide was spent in the life and times of Jane Austen, from what
was cooked to card games and dances. Add to that some history of Jane and her
family, a few illustrations and a gorgeous book jacket on a hardcover book, you
have a book worthy of a special place in any library.

Now to the delight of all you dear readers, there is a giveaway offered by the publishing coordinator of Cider Mill Press, Brittany Wason and author, Carlo DeVito. One hardcover book will be given away and the giveaway is US and Canada only. Please leave a comment with your contact info. The giveaway will end at 11:59, the 8th of October, 2015. Thanks for visiting and good luck in the giveaway.